Greece began to gradually ease public health measures in May amid signs that the country had successfully contained the coronavirus outbreak, with the government pledging €24 billion of fresh sup- port to the economy.

Lauded internationally for the government’s quick response to the pandemic, the number of Covid-19 cases in Greece is less than 3,000 and so far the outbreak has led to fewer than 200 deaths. But, like in other countries, Greece is proceeding step-by-step in restarting its economy to guard against a second wave of infections.

Beginning May 4, the government’s stay-at-home orders were lifted and small retailers were allowed to reopen. This was followed in mid-May by the re-opening of larger shops and commercial centers, a partial re-opening of schools, and renewed access to open air archaeological sites such as the Acropolis. Worshippers were also allowed to return to churches, beaches were reopened to the public, while cafés and restaurants were allowed to resume open air dining.